News
Political Violence: Police Assure Rivers Journalists Of Security
As tension mounts preparatory to the March 28 and April 11, 2015 general elections, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Dan Bature, has assured Journalists of protection amidst increasing insecurity in the State.
He gave the assurance on Monday following a peaceful protest by Journalists in the State over the spate of insecurity characterized by kidnapping, robbery and violent attacks, which had also affected journalists in the course of performing their official duties.
The State Police boss, who addressed a delegation of the journalists led by the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Opaka Dokubo, in his office, identified with the concerns raised regarding insecurity in the state.
While acknowledging and thanking the journalists for their stand, he noted that it was for the same purpose that the State Security Council had been in session “since morning”, stating that “the Police is not incapacitated, and is still able to ensure peace and security of lives and property in Rivers State.
He told the protesting journalists that he had directed that wherever there is political activity, journalists should be identified and given protection alongside other security measures that will be put in place.
While thanking the journalists for what he called “strong working relationship” with the media since assumption of duty in Rivers State, he assured that the Police would not rest on their oars as regards ensuring security of lives and property in the state.
Earlier, the Journalists had taken the protest to Government House, Port Harcourt where the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Fortune Oguru, addressed them on behalf of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, who he said, was in a meeting with all the security chiefs in the state.
Oguru explained to the protesting journalists that the security concerns they raised were top on the agenda of issues being discussed by the State Security Council.
“I am happy that you have come to vent your anger as regards what is happening in the state, what you are seeing here (Government House) are tiers of security chiefs in the state.
“As I am talking to you now, His Excellency has asked me to come and address you. One of the things they are addressing at the security council meeting is the issue of violence in the state.
“The Government is aware that kidnapping has increased, killing and a lot of violence have also increased in this State. That is one of the reasons they are discussing this morning. I am happy that you have raised your voice. Whatever be your view this morning will be passed on to His Excellency”, he said.
While stating the concerns of Journalists in the State at the gate of the Government House, the State NUJ Chairman, Opaka Dokubo, had expressed the concern that Journalists were not protected in the course of carrying out their official duties, particularly in preparation for the 2015 general elections, which had made them victims in political violence.
“For us as journalists, we are worried about the state of insecurity, especially in Rivers State. Yes, election is all over the country, but it appears to be taking a different dimension in Rivers State, as if it is only in this State that elections are happening.
“We have come to Government because Government’s first responsibility is the protection of lives and property. The way things are going, we as people who chronicle the stories every day of these happenings, have found that gradually, Rivers State is sliding into a very serious state of insecurity, and we are not happy.
“So, for us, we want to tell Government that whatever is needful and necessary to do to stem this tide, please take charge and do it”, he said.
Segbeba Dokubo
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said the 33.5-kilometre Elele–Umudioga–Egbeda–Ubimini–Ikiri–Omoku dual carriageway is nearing completion and will be ready for inauguration by early May.
Speaking after inspecting the project last Wednesday, the governor disclosed that the N80.8 billion road project, currently at about 90 per cent completion, is on track for delivery before the end of April.
The project, which links Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas, was awarded to Craneburg Construction Company with a 24-month completion timeline.
Fubara expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, describing the road as a landmark achievement of his administration.
He noted that beyond infrastructure, the project symbolises progress and purposeful governance.
Highlighting its economic and security value, the governor said the road serves as a vital link to Omoku, a major gas hub, and would significantly enhance business activities in the area.
He recalled that the corridor was previously notorious for kidnapping and armed robbery but said the ongoing development had transformed the security outlook.
According to him, improved accessibility will enable security agencies to respond swiftly to emergencies, effectively curbing criminal activities that once plagued the route.
Fubara commended the contractor for adhering to the project timeline, expressing confidence that the road will soon be completed and opened to the public.
Recall that the governor had, during the flag-off ceremony in May 2024, disclosed that the project is funded from the State’s internally generated revenue savings.
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
